The World is on the brink!

[luutzu]

The US entered a period of paranoia that took WW2 to soften

I don't think they soften up. It's just that after WWII, all the major powers in the world are destroyed and became its vassal states or arch-enemy.

 

[Wysiwyg]

Technically the Korean War haven't ended. So given the firepower that was brought onto North Korea, it'd be insane for them to not have a nuke, just in case.

Still need the subservient to be programmed for kamikaze type war. Memories of the 40's - 50's would be great motivators for a mostly imprisoned society.

 

[luutzu]

Still need the subservient to be programmed for kamikaze type war. Memories of the 40's - 50's would be great motivators for a mostly imprisoned society.

Not sure if North Korea has an air force. I saw pictures of one of its "drones", so I guess they do have an air force, sort of.

No need for Kamikaze though. Heard that they have crap loads of conventional artillery pointing south. It's all on hair trigger alert and some expert and US general was saying as far as they know, there's really no way of stopping them once the proverbial hits the fan.

But according to that crazy warmonger US Senator Graham, if the war takes place it'll be away from US soil... so it's alright I guess. I mean, there's only some 20,000 US soldiers (and families) in the firing line, there's Seoul... the potential to draw in China and Russia.

North Korea is locked up, but not so sure if it's just the Kim or also locked in by other more powerful states as well. I mean there's China, there's Russia and the US.

Seems NK is one of those buffer zone country, no man's land where each major power draws a line. So it's between a rock and a hard place.

 

[McLovin]

I think it's just posturing. So far that's all that has happened. Neither side looks particularly ready or willing for a fight, and actions speak many volumes louder than words. If you accept the raison d'être for NK's ICBM program is for Kim to maintain his family dynasty, from domestic and foreign threats, it doesn't make sense to provoke a conflict in which he would be wiped out in a few days.

Like I said, posturing. Behind the rhetoric of imperialist Yankees with their heads in nooses, cancelling the launch is probably as good a sign you will get from NK that it is willing to talk.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea appeared on Tuesday to pause its threat to launch ballistic missiles toward Guam, saying it would wait to assess “the foolish and stupid conduct” of the United States before carrying the launchings out.

The statement came as the United States and South Korea were preparing to conduct joint military exercises on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters starting on Monday, despite North Korea’s vehement opposition to such drills.

In response to threats from President Trump, North Korea’s military announced last week that by mid-August, it would submit a plan to Kim Jong-un, the country’s leader, for launching four ballistic missiles into waters around Guam, the United States territory that is home to American military bases.

On Monday, Mr. Kim reviewed the plan while visiting the command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People’s Army but said he would wait a bit before telling the military to proceed with the missile launchings, the state news media reported on Tuesday.

“He said that the U.S. imperialists caught the noose around their necks due to their reckless military confrontation racket, adding that they would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees,” said the report from the Korean Central News Agency.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/15/...s&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

Next flashpoint...China v India.

 

[Tisme]

I don't think they soften up. It's just that after WWII, all the major powers in the world are destroyed and became its vassal states or arch-enemy.

Well they did have a policy of isolationism that persisted until after the war.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

From Shakespeare, Richard 11 ( 1595 )

As Shakespeare said 422 years ago.

The bay-trees in our country all are wither'd
And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven;
The pale-fac'd moon looks bloody on the earth
And lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change;
Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap,
The one in fear to lose what they enjoy,
The other to enjoy by rage and war.

War is a constant state of humanity.
Prepare and be vigilant.

gg

 

[Gringotts Bank]

From Shakespeare, Richard 11 ( 1595 )

As Shakespeare said 422 years ago.

The bay-trees in our country all are wither'd
And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven;
The pale-fac'd moon looks bloody on the earth
And lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change;
Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap,
The one in fear to lose what they enjoy,
The other to enjoy by rage and war.

War is a constant state of humanity.
Prepare and be vigilant.

gg

I'm gonna dance like a ruffian.

 

[luutzu]

Well they did have a policy of isolationism that persisted until after the war.

I think they were more hemmed in rather than isolated. They didn't have much of a Navy, at least none that matches the British or the Spaniards to make much waves.

But even as early as John Adams, the Yanks was just biding its time until those old decrepit European empires decay and collapses. Until then, as the plan goes, there are plenty of land to grab and not much else beside bows and arrows, and a few scalping, trying to stop that march from seas to shining seas.

So the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of those 13 colonies. Next came half of Mexico then Florida and the Caribbeans soon after. They also purchase Alaska from the Tsars for some reason. Teddy was busy taking out the French from their Panama Canal... paving the way for complete Naval dominance (defence ) of the two continents.

So they weren't isolationists. If they were, then the Chinese can be believed to also be isolationist... starting out "uniting" a bunch of states then spreading that peace up, down and sideways of the Yangtze and beyond, way beyond.

 

[Tisme]

I think they were more hemmed in rather than isolated. They didn't have much of a Navy, at least none that matches the British or the Spaniards to make much waves.

But even as early as John Adams, the Yanks was just biding its time until those old decrepit European empires decay and collapses. Until then, as the plan goes, there are plenty of land to grab and not much else beside bows and arrows, and a few scalping, trying to stop that march from seas to shining seas.

So the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of those 13 colonies. Next came half of Mexico then Florida and the Caribbeans soon after. They also purchase Alaska from the Tsars for some reason. Teddy was busy taking out the French from their Panama Canal... paving the way for complete Naval dominance (defence ) of the two continents.

So they weren't isolationists. If they were, then the Chinese can be believed to also be isolationist... starting out "uniting" a bunch of states then spreading that peace up, down and sideways of the Yangtze and beyond, way beyond.

In the absence of my Social Studies B book from high school, this might help a bit:

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1601.html

 

[luutzu]

In the absence of my Social Studies B book from high school, this might help a bit:

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1601.html

They defined "isolationism" as not wanting any contact with Europe. That's like calling Mongolia under Genghis Khan an isolationist until he knocks on Europe's doors. That and it's a bit different to the usual definition of a hermit/isolationist country - where they just mind their own business, secure their borders and not expanding it etc.

btw, how come your school texts focuses on US history? This imperial outpost and its colonial schools weren't good enough that you were sent to the new Rome?

 

[Sean K]

Are there any countries on the brink that are not Islamic or Socialist?

 

[luutzu]

Are there any countries on the brink that are not Islamic or Socialist?

Communism is not Socialism. Likewise, Capitalism isn't Democracy... without a fairly healthy dose of Socialism, Capitalism is a Dickensian nightmare.

 

[Tisme]

btw, how come your school texts focuses on US history? This imperial outpost and its colonial schools weren't good enough that you were sent to the new Rome?

Contrary to the rubbish you might hear on shows like the Drum about twisted history, we were well schooled in world politics and social studies from Primary school on. We were knowledgable about Indonesia, S/E Asia, the USA, Europe, etc and a big focus on Australian explorers ... NZ didn't matter apart from being Anzacs.

It was a different world back then, when we were proud of being Australian with a pedigree of being the child of the biggest, most successful empire the world has ever seen, but also proud to knock the POMs for being arrogant overlords. We actually played weekly sport on school time too!!!

 

[Sean K]

Anyone else sitting happy and content with current events?

The sides are taking shape for a massive conflict. I’m not asking for it, just commentating.

At the moment we are on the winning team, again. Thanks entirely to the US.

Geostrategic luck has us in the same spot as the Americans, the Canuks and the UK. Isolatated Islands with massive moats around us. No one can invade the five eyes.

China is dreaming that they can ever take over any region again due to long range missiles and tech. If we really wanted to, the Spratlies would be obliterated in seconds. Strategic thinkers know this, that’s why we’ve allowed them to waste resources on developing them. How stupid are the Chinese to think putting a few guns on remote islands would be of any concern? The US could destroy them tomorrow.

However,

It’s better that we get this next war over and done with before too many more countries take sides.

Right now it’s China, Russia and Shiite countries v the rest. We must take the upper hand, right now, or we will suffer more greatly.

I’m not a war monger.

This is the way.

The US needs to regrasp its position and control world order in line with our values or we are headed towards armageddon.

 

[CanOz]

Jeez kennas.....

Pretty dire...

Makes me want to dig a bunker and hoard tinned food

 

[Knobby22]

USA values? I remember them.

 

[luutzu]

Anyone else sitting happy and content with current events?

The sides are taking shape for a massive conflict. I’m not asking for it, just commentating.

At the moment we are on the winning team, again. Thanks entirely to the US.

Geostrategic luck has us in the same spot as the Americans, the Canuks and the UK. Isolatated Islands with massive moats around us. No one can invade the five eyes.

China is dreaming that they can ever take over any region again due to long range missiles and tech. If we really wanted to, the Spratlies would be obliterated in seconds. Strategic thinkers know this, that’s why we’ve allowed them to waste resources on developing them. How stupid are the Chinese to think putting a few guns on remote islands would be of any concern? The US could destroy them tomorrow.

However,

It’s better that we get this next war over and done with before too many more countries take sides.

Right now it’s China, Russia and Shiite countries v the rest. We must take the upper hand, right now, or we will suffer more greatly.

I’m not a war monger.

This is the way.

The US needs to regrasp its position and control world order in line with our values or we are headed towards armageddon.

Yea, the world looks to be heading for massive collision between China/Russia/USA and allies.

China is (re)starting its games of creating vassal states and coalition of the willing. Already had a hand in Zimbawe, I think South Sudan, and Myanamar. It already own Laos, Cambodia's in the pocket.

As to its bases in the South China Sea... I don't think it'd be that easy for the US to take them out. I mean it's technically easy... strategically, not really.

I mean any state with a few jets can take out US military bases or enter its territory, just none dare do it because they know what the consequences would be.

So would the US bet on China not doing anything in return if their military bases are flatten? Even if the comrades would permit it, I don't think the ordinary Chinese citizen would... that century of shame need to be cleanse. And if war breaks out, hard to say who will win because both can't fight each other directly or go nuclear on each other.

The only war with nuclear powers like China is through trade and economics. I think the Comrades have learn from the Soviets how not to let its capital fly West and the rest be sold off to foreign interests.
That and China have learned from its losses during the GFC, the sinking US dollar that almost halved the debt owed to China; a few games by US controlled IMF and World Bank... it's creating its own bank and investing in its own initiatives around the world.

With those, they will gain a few friends and more influence. Then Australia will just fall towards China. There's no need for them to militarily takeover. They can't do it as you say, but they can buy what they need - at mate's rate.

 

[sptrawler]

All we need is Malcolm (while he still has some say) to back KEV for the U.N.
Then they will have another fruit loop in the mix, for a really good xmas pudding, you have to be barmy army to think this isn't orchestrated.

 

[qldfrog]

am I the only person around who believe we have now more probabilities of a conflict with North korea then avoiding it?
I would say 60%;
Trump did his tour and got all the Russia/China answers he needed,talked to Japan/Korea any extra pretext is not needed anymore with the last NK test;
what next and when ? with the winter OG due to start soon: start strike after? before?
time is running out and the US can not afford another iraki style **** up..
In the meantime, the market is going higher and higher

 

[luutzu]

am I the only person around who believe we have now more probabilities of a conflict with North korea then avoiding it?
I would say 60%;
Trump did his tour and got all the Russia/China answers he needed,talked to Japan/Korea any extra pretext is not needed anymore with the last NK test;
what next and when ? with the winter OG due to start soon: start strike after? before?
time is running out and the US can not afford another iraki style **** up..
In the meantime, the market is going higher and higher

Trump's going to hit Iran first.

Hitting NK might bring in the Chinese and the Russian. And that's after NK take out a fair couple millions of South Koreans and US personnel.

But then again it's Trump and his tiny hands at the red button so who knows. He might wake up one day to a rude text from lil Kim and goes nuclear.